Pushbutton switch means



June 23, 1970 I 1, R, BMLEY ET AL 3,517,140

PUSHBUTTON SWITCH MEANS -Filed sept. 2o, 1968 4 sheets-sheet 1 QQ, wwwwww. mm, QQ s@ @Nl mm m ,I2-M

.l m Sw Y@ j///jg/ f BYROBERT-l-KAH N ATTY June 23., 1970 J, R. BAlLEYET AL 3,517,140

v PUSHBUTTON SWITCH MEANS Filed Sent. 20, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Il Iligue/@23716: Jene@ POBERTLKAHN ATTY June 23, 1970 J, R BMLEY ET ALPUSHBUTTON SWITCH MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sent. 20, 1968 June23,1970 J,y BMLEY ET AL, 3,517,140

PUSHBUTTON SWITCH MEANS Filed Sent. 20, 1968 .4 Sheets-Sheet 4Jm/PgyfM/f//f/ZW/f 10213', BYROBERTLKAHNATTY United States Patent Olce3,517,140 Patented June 23, 1970 3,517,140 PUSHBUTTON SWITCH MEANS JamesR. Bailey, Chicago, and Kurt Lutzenberger, Arlington Heights, Ill.,assignors to Switchcraft, Inc., a corporation of Illinois Filed Sept.20, 1968, Ser. No. 761,174 Int. Cl. H01h 9/26 U.S. Cl. 200- 10 ClaimsABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE The pushbutton switch means described hereinprovides a construction which is sufficiently versatile so that a row ofactuator rods may selectively have non-lock, all lock, interlock,lockout and release functions individually or mixed. Each actuator rodforms part of a self-contained switch assembly containing the switchcontacts and bias spring and permits easy application of a switchassembly to the mechanism or removal therefrom. The mechanism includes aframe plate and latch plate relatively linearly movable over a limitedrange. A latch plate can have a normal biased position at either end ofits travel range. The plates have windows and the latch plate window hastwo opposed cam shaped sides, one side being useful in most cases at onetime. The actuator rod has one or two parts as desired for cooperatingwith one or other cam sides, the particular cooperation for most windowsdepending upon the bias direction. Individual lock-out member betweenadjacent stations may be applied selectively.

This invention relates to `pushbutton switch means wherein separateswitch modules are carried on a plate which has means cooperating withsuch modules for providing selective non-lock, interlock, accumulativelock, lock release and lock-out functions in desired combinations. Aconstruction embodying the present invention is advantageous in that aswitch module may be applied to or removed from a multi-switch assemblyat any time. The various functions individually or in combination may bepre-selected for desired buttons when assembling the entire mechanism byutilizing prefabricated elements. As a result, special combinations offunctions in a multiswitch means may be obtained by control of assemblyof parts.

A switch module can accommodate different kinds of switch terminalswithout re-design of the entire module. This is an importantconsideration for switches used with printed circuits. A terminal board,carried by a switch module, supports fixed and movable switch contactsand imparts exi-bility to selection and mounting of switch contacts,apart from the mechanism as a whole.

In a rnultiswitch embodying the present invention, the the pushbuttonactuators are in line and each actuator forms part of the module andoperates on the movable contacts of a switch module. A switch module isa self contained assembly having its own module base plate, pushbuttonactuator, bias spring and actuator travel limiting means. In addition,the base plate and pushbutton actuator have means for cooperating withmechanical parts of or carried by the plate of the multi-switch means toprovide for cooperation between a switch module and plate and betweenmodules for providing support and overall, versatile multi-switchperformance.

The mechanism for operating switch modules has structural features forobtaining desired cooperation between various portions thereof to obtaindesired operating characteristics. Because of the versatility of suchmechanism, the structure and operating characteristics are bestdescribed in connection with actual mechanism embodying the presentinvention.

, with switch modules. The base plate is so constructed as toaccommodate lock-out means which, when present, functions to preventsimultaneous operation of more than one actuator. The high degree ofadaptability of the mechanism as a whole endows the entire device,including switch modules, with excellent characteristics relating tooperation, inter-changeability, removability and replacement of switchmodules.

For a full understanding of the invention reference will now be made tothe drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a construction embodying the invention,said construction having 4 switch operating pushbuttons with the secondfrom the left being locked in depressed position and the latch platebeing biased to the right.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the construction illustrated in FIG. 1,certain parts being cut away along line 2-2 of FIG. l for ease ofillustration.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the front of the frame plate of thestructure illustrated in FIG. 1 and latch plate disposed below the frameplate.

FIG. 4 is a section on line 4 4 of FIG. 1, the scale being substantiallyequal to that of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a view generally similar to FIG. 1 but having the latch platebiased to the left and the push rods carrying a locking blade identifiedon a larger scale in FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 6 is a view on line `t--6 of FIG. 5, the scale being substantiallylarger than FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional detail on line 7-7 of the second button from theleft on FIG. 5, this view illustrating the rocking action of blade 115.

FIG. 8 is a detail on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail on line 9 9 of FIG. 6 illustrating thecamming boss carried by block part of the push rod construction.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective View of a switch assembly, push rodand housing and including as a part thereof a locking blade which may beapplied to the push rod or not depending upon manufacturingspecifications. FIG. 1l shows as a complete assembly the Variousportions comprising the parts in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view from one face thereof of the body of apush rod being taken in the direction of 12-12 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view from a `different side in the directionline 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the push rod portion of FIG. 10, theview being taken in the direction of line 14-14 in FIG. 10.

Referring to the drawings, frame or base plate 1() consists of bodyportion 11 and ange portion 12. Base plate 10 is preferably of metal ofsufiiciently heavy gauge for the purpose required and has ange portion12 bent at right angle to body portion 11. The length of base plate 10(along the line of bend) will depend upon the number of switch modulesto be carried. In practice, a base plate may be long enough toaccommodate about 18 modules.

For convenience in designating the orientation of the base plate, flange12 will be presumed to be horizontal and considered as the top with body11 extending downwardly in a vertical plane. It is understood, however,that the entire mechanism may be mounted in any position. Body portion11 of the base plate has obverse face 11A and reverse face 11B.

The length of base palte will determine the number of stations to beaccommodated and, in the example illustrated, four stations areprovided. Flange 12 has opening or window 15 for each station, theindividual stations being designated as 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D. Thewindows are all similar and for convenience only one will be described.Window 15A has straight side 16 parallel to and laterally offset fromfree edge 17 of ange 12. Opposite edge 16 of window 15A is side 18 whichis parallel to and laterally offset from fold 19 where ilange 12 is bentover from body portion 11. Window 15A has transverse sides 20 and 21.Small offsets 20A and 21A are provided where sides 18, 20v and 21 wouldnormally meet. These olsets cooperate with portions of a switch modulefor locking, as will be more fully explained later.

Flange 12 is provided with mounting apertures 23 and 24 adjacent theange ends for attaching the base plate to a suitable panel or othersupport. It will be convenient to refer to center line 25 extendingtransversely across ange 12 -between the midpoints of window sides 16and 18 in `connection with the construction of body portion 11 of thebase plate. Adjacent windows are separated by metal or flange portion12, the amount of such metal being suicient to maintain the flangestrong.

Body portion 11 of base plate 10 has windows 27A to 27D inclusive forthe four stations, each ilange window being paired with a correspondingbody window for a station. Center line 28 for each body window extendsperpendicularly from fold 19 where center line 28 meets the fold line.Center lines 25 and 28 for a station may thus be considered as acontinuous line. Windows 27A to 27D are similar. Window 27A has top 29which is somewhat below and parallel to the fold 19 and. sides 30 and 31parallel to each other, extending downwardly from fold 19 at rightangles to top 29. Window 27A has its bottom portion shaped to providedownwardly extending slot 32 symmetrically disposed with reference tocenter line 28. Disposed Ibetween adjacent slots 32 is circular aperture34 whose center is substantially midway between center lines 28 ofadjacent windows 27A and 27B, for example. In transverse alinement withthe center of aperture 34 across body 11 of base plate 10 is circularaperture 35. As will be explained later, apertures 35 and 34 accommodateinverted T members for lock-out action between adjacent stations.

The bottom part of lbody 11 is irregularly shaped to provide spacedtongues 38 (one such tongue per station), finger 39 with interveningstraight edge portions 40 and 41 per station. The ends of body portion11 are provided with horizontal alined slots 42 and 43 extendinglongitudinally of body portion 11.

Supported on base plate 10 for longitudinal movement with respectthereto is generally ilat metal latch plate 50 having top and bottomedges 50A 'and 50B. Latch plate 50 has a length corresponding to thenumber of switch stations for base plate 10, in this particular instancethere being four such stations. Latch plate 50 is disposed at obverseface 11A of base plate body portion 11 and is provided at end portions50C and 50D Iwith tongues 51 and 52 bent to extend laterally therefrom.Latch plate 50 and tongues 51 and 52 are so proportioned that thesetongues may travel in slots 42 and 43 of the base plate to support thelatch plate in longitudinally slidable position. Tongues 51 and 52 canextend through slots 42 and 43 so that end portions 51A and 52A may bebent upwardly to slidably lock the latch plate to the base plate.Portions 51B and 52B making up part of the end portions of latch plate50 remain in their originally llat condition, coplanar with the flatbody of latch plate 50'.

To reduce sliding friction between latch plate 50 and the solid topportion of body 11 of the base plate, embossings 54 and 55 near top edge50A and 56 and 57 near the bottom edge 50B are provided. Theseembossings extend toward base plate face 11A and serve to limit the areaof sliding contact between the latch' plate and the base plate. If thebase plate and latch plate have substantially more stations thanindicated, more embossings along the length of latch plate 50 may beprovided at spaced intervals of say about four or tive stations.Embossings 54 and 55 are shown as elongated in shape along the length oflatch plate 50 while embossings 56 and 57 are circular. The relativeshapes and dimensions of these embossings may vary.

The location of embossings 54 and 55 on the one hand and 56 and 57 onthe other hand are such as to be opposite solid metal of base plate bodyportion 11 near the top or bottom of face 11A when the latch plate is ininstalled position. The lateral offset due to such embossings may bequite small, of the order of several thousandths of an inch and is justenough to permit easy movement of the latch plate with reference to thebase plate. Latch plate 50 is provided with windows 60, there being onewindow per station, each window being designated by letters A to Dinclusive in conjunction with numeral 60'.

Latch plate 50 is normally biased to an end position from which it ismovable toward the other end position. The travel range of latch plate50 with respect to base plate body portion 11 will be determined by thedepth of slots 42 and 43 and the dimensions of tongues 51 and 52. Ingeneral, the travel range of latch plate 50 is less than the dimensionof a station as measured along the length of the latch plate or bodyportion 11. Latch plate 50 is biased to either end position (theselected end position depends on the functions desired) by suitablemeans such as spring lwire 62 having a portion looped about irregularbottom part of base plate body portion 11 near an end thereof, springwire 62 extending upwardly along reverse face 11B of base plate bodyportion 11 ,with the free wire end portion 62A resting against an edgeof tongue 51 (or 52 as may be the case) for biasing the latch plate todesired end position. Any other spring means for biasing the latch platemay be provided.

Latch plate windows 60A to 60C inclusive correspond respectively tostations located by windows 15A to 15C inclusive of base plate ilangeportion 12. Such latch plate windows are similar and each of these threewindows is adapted to register more or less with corresponding windows27A to 27C respectively at all times as will be apparent later. Window60D diifers somewhat in shape from windows 60A to 60C inclusive, becauseof its release function.

Since windows 60A to 60C inclusive are similar; one of such windows willnow be described. Referring specifically to window 60A, top edge 64extends generally parallel to the length of latch plate 50 and mayregister with top edge 29 of base plate window 27A. Latch plate window60A has bottom edge portion 65' generally parallel to top edge 64 butsomewhat shorter in length. Bottom edges 65 of latch plate windows 60A,60B and 60C in the assembled position of latch plate 50 on base bodyplate portion 11, will be about level with or somewhat above the top ofthe shoulders forming slot 32 in base plate window 27A.

Latch plate window I60D has top edge 64 alined with the remaining topedges of the windows and has pointed tip 65A, in line along the lengthof latch plate 50 with bottom edges 65. The shape of window `601D isdictated by its release function.

All `windows 60A to 60D inclusive have corresponding sides 67 similarlyshaped while windows 60A to 60C inclusive only have correspondingopposite sides 68 of similar shape. Window 60D has opposite side 68Ashaped differently from windows 60A to 60C inclusive because of therelease function imparted thereto.

Window sides 67 of latch plate windows 60A to 60D inclusive are similarand each includes portions 67A having inwardly sloping parts 67Bterminating in tip 67C and continuing with downwardly and outwardlysloping parts 67D. The shape of side 67 of each latch plate window issuch as to provide a primary cam edge which will cooperate with aportion of an actuator to be described for causing latch plate 50 to bemoved in the direction of tongue 51. For convenience, the shape of side67 will be designated as cam edge although, as will be apparent later,the side of the window acts more like a cam follower than a cam. For thepresent it is sufficient to note that when latch plate 50 is biased inthe direction of tongue 52, window side 67 will function to cause latchplate 50 to move againstits bias for unlocking previously lockedstations and for locking an actuator cooperating with .the particularwindow considered.

Side 68 of latch plate windows 60A to 60C inclusive has portion 68Bextending inwardly to provide locking shoulder 68C. End latch platewindow 60D has inwardly sloping side 68A as illustrated for releasepurposes only. In all instances, latch plate window sides 68 and 68A maybe considered as secondary cam surfaces. Excepting for latch platewindow side 68A at the end window, the remaining latch plate windowsides 68 are useful when latch plate 50 is biased in the direction oflug 51. With such a bias, the latch plate should be urged toward lug 52for release action. This will be more fully explained later inconnection with a modified form. The distance between sides 67 and 68for each window is great enough so that only one latch plate window sideof each latch plate window will come into play, depending upon thedirection of bias of latch plate 50.

A switch assembly for a station includes base plate 75,

preferably of metal, having sides 76 and 77 extending away from the baseplate. Sides 76 and 77 are similar and each has projecting lugs 78dimensioned to fit at sides 20 and 21 of each window in flange 12 ofbase plate 10. Switch assembly base plate 75 has fingers 79 extendingfrom the free edges of sides 76 and 77 for engaging slots 80 ininsulating Contact supporting plate 81 and locking the same to theassembly base plate. Insulating plate 81 carries fixed contacts 82 ofdesired shape, such contacts being provided with soldering lugs forconnection to wires. Fixed contacts 82 cooperate with movable springcontacts 84 having suitable shape for providing contact action whencontacts 84 are moved along the length of fixed contacts 82. Movablecontactsv 84 have a generally U shape and the axis of travel of thesecontacts is lengthwise of such contacts and normal to the U sectionthereof. The nature of the xed and movable contacts will depend upon thedesired switch properties and may assume a wide variety of forms asdesired. 'i Movable contacts 84 are operated by actuator 90 havingrectangular finger piece portion 91 which normally projectsk upwardlyfrom flange portion. 12 of the base plate for travel longitudinally ofthe actuator, perpendicular to the plane of flange 12. Actuator 90 has anumber of bearing bosses 92 for limiting the area of surface contactingswitch assembly base plate 75. Switch assembly base plate 75 has window75A bounded by side portions 75B and 75C, these latter side portionshaving the inside surfaces thereof actually engaged by actuator bosses92 for reducing friction.

:Actuator 90 includes body portion 94, below finger portion 91, somewhatwider (the dimension along the length of base plate flange 12) thanlinger portion 91 to provide shoulders 94A and 94B. Shoulder portions94A and 94B, in the installed position of a switch assembly, normallyshould be just below the bottom surface of base plate ange 12 when anactuator is in its top position. Actuator 90 has contact engaging face96 opposite portion 75 of the switch assembly base plate. Face 96 ofactuator 90 has two laterally spaced longitudinal recesses 97 and 98,the ends of which are defined by steps 97A and 97B for recess 97 andsteps 98A and 98B for recess 98. The dimensions of recesses 97 and 98are proportioned to accommodate loosely the backs of movable contacts84. The arrangement is such that two movable contacts are coupled toactuator for longitudinal travel therewith. The depth of recesses 97 and98 permits parts of face 96 of the actuator to ride along the surface ofinsulating base plate 81 of the switch proper when movable contacts 84travel longitudinally thereof for switch action. As illustrated here,movable contact 84 is long enough to bridge two longitudinally adjacentstationary contacts (extending along the length of a movable contact) sothat one movable contact can operate as a single pole double throwswitch. Other switch arrangements may be provided, as desired.

Body portion 94 of actuator 90 has face 100 containing friction reducingbosses 92 previously described. Face has semi-circular bed 101 extendinglongitudinally of the actuator from bottom 102 of the actuator anddisposed midway between the actuator sides. Bed 101 extends for asubstantial part of the length of actuator portion 94 and the top end ofbed 101 is defined by block 103 extending laterally from face 100l ofactuator 90. Bed 101 has an arcuate transverse section for accommodatingpart of the coils of helical bias spring 105 having one end disposedabout tongue 106 extending upwardly from the bottom edge of window 75Aof switch assembly base plate 75. The upper end of spring 105 restsagainst block 103 and serves to bias actuator 90 to its top position.Switch assembly or switch module base plate 75 has apertured lockingange 108.

Block 103 has laterally projecting camming boss 110 whose sides 110A and110B meet at edge 110C. Block 103 is thick enough to project throughwindow 75A of switch assembly base plate 75, the sides of block 103riding along the sides of window 75A. Camming boss 110 extends outwardlyfrom block 103 a sufficient distance so that when a switch module isinstalled in base plate 10, camming boss 110 will extend in the windowof a latch plate. Side 110A or 110B may cooperate with an appropriateside of a latch plate window, depending upon the direction of latchplate bias, if the window is end window 60D, as will be explained later.The shape of boss 110 is such that at top 110D may engage a shoulder ofside 67 of a latch plate window, under appropriate conditions forlocking an actuator in a down or locked position. i Boss 110 itself isnormally not adapted to cooperate at any time with side 68 of a latchplate window, except for end window 68D. yIn order to have lockingaction for sides 68 of windows 60A to 60C inclusive, an auxiliary meansis provided. Such auxiliary means comprises thin blade A115, preferablyof metal, having narrow tip 116 at the bottom thereof, sides 1.17 and118 tapering toward each other as they approach top 119 and laterallyextending locking lug 120 toward the bottom of the body portion neartipI 116. Blade 115, when used, is slipped into slot 1122 of actuatorblock 103, `such slot being located transversely of the actuator andalbove boss 110i. Slot 122 extends through portion 94 of the actuatorbody and has web 125 extending transversely of the block to cooperatewith lug 120 to lock blade 115 in an inserted position againstwithdrawal. Blade is narrower than slot 122 and can rock therein, thedirection of rocking being edgewise of the blade and transversely ofactuator 90.

Blade 115 is biased by suitable means so that the blade normally leanstoward the right of actuator 901 as viewed from the camming boss side ofthe actuator. While various means may be provided for biasing blade 115,a convenient means consists of flexible spring fin 128 forming part ofthe original casting or molding making up actuator 90. Fin 128 has itsWidth extending generally parallel to the length of actuator 90 and isnormally adapted to engage edge 112 of blade 115 for urging the bladetoward side 68` of latch plate Windows 60A to 60C inclusive.

Blade 115 may be so dimensioned that an actuator provided With suchblade may or may not lock in the down position 'when the bias of theactuator plate is toward latch plate tongue '52, as illustrated in lFIG.2. Such an arrangement has the latch plate biased toward the right asseen in FIG. 2 (to use latch plate window Side 67) without having anyactuator lock.

When bias spring 62 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 5, latchplate window side `67 is too far to the left and no longer cooperateswith camming boss 110. Sloping side 110A of boss 110 will not contactany part of side 67 of a latch plate window. Latch plate window side 68cooperates with blade 115 to provide an actuator locking action only forall latch plate windows except end window 60D. The spring bias of anyblade 115, due to the spring of tin 128 of the plastic material of anactuator, is substantially weaker than the bias due to wire spring 62.Consequently when a latch plate is biased to the left, as seen in FIG.5, downward motion of an actuator will not cause movement of latch plate50 toward any unlocking position (in this case to the right as seen inFIG. 5) for stations A to C inclusive. 'End window 60D of a latch plateshould not have any blade 115 for an actuator operating in that station.The dimensions of latch plate window 60D between opposing sides 6-7 and68 are small enough so that camming boss `110 will always move a latchplate away from its biased position due to spring `62 for unlockingirrespective whether the bias spring is placed at one end as illustratedin FIG. 1 or at the other end as illustrated in FIG. 5.

A switch module is locked into position at a station by having fingerpart 91 of the actuator extend through an appropriate flange window,insuring that lugs 78 of the module base plate are properly positionedin the window sides and manipulating the module assembly so that parts38 and 39 along the bottom edge of the base plate `for a station extendthrough slotted flange 108 of a module. When a module is properlypositioned, tongue 38 for the particular station involved is laterallytwisted, this automatically insuring that the entire module, includingcamming boss 110, is in proper position. A switch module may be replacedby reversing this process.

A switch module is a self-contained unit with its own actuator normallybiased to an up position by the coil spring within the module andmovable to a down or offnormal position against the spring bias. Themechanism upon which the module is supported may, when desired, providefor cooperation between companion modules carried by the same mechanismfor locking an actuator to an olf-normal down position, releasingpreviously locked actuators, depending upon the direction of bias of thelatch plate. Preferably the locking shoulders for sides 67 and `68 ofthe normal latch plate windows 60A to 60C inclusive are offset from eachother in the direction of actuator travel with the looking shoulder forside `6-7 being preferably lower than the locking shoulder for side 68of latch plate windows `60A to 60C inclusive. Such an offset permits asomewhat narrower latch plate window (this being measured in thedirection along the length of latch plate 50). By controlling therelative slope of the cam surfaces for sides 67 and 68 of latch platewindow and controlling the relative dimensions and shapes of vthewindows and camming boss 110, it is possible to determine the timingbetween modules and determine the lockout and release action.

In addition to the functions so far described, the mech-1 anism,illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 has means (which may be omitted if desired)for a lock-out action between adjacent actuators to prevent more thanone actuator in a group from being pushed down at any one time.Referring to FIGS. l and 2, between two adjacent stations, an inverted Tshaped rocking member 13S having head 136 and pivot portion 137 isprovided. Pivot portion 137 has embossing 138 extending laterallytherefrom and dimensioned to it into circular aperture 35 of base platebody 11. Pivot portion 137 of the inverted T has laterally extendingshoulders 139 on each side thereof which continues into tapering sides140. Inverted T 135 has embossing 142 extending laterally therefromsubstantially smaller in diameter than aperture 34 in base plate body11. This difference in size between embossing 142 and aperture 34permits inverted T 135 to rock as illustrated in FIG. 2. The rocking isabout embossing 138 as a pivot. Embossing 142 can move in aperture 34during rocking. When installed, each inverted T is disposed against thereverse face 11B of base plate body 11 with the embossings of eachinverted T extending into apertures 34 and 35 of the base plate body.The switch modules anchored to a base plate normally have sufficientclearance between reverse face 11B of the base plate body and theadjacent face of the module housing to accommodate the thickness of a T.1

Block 103 of actuator 90 is so shaped and dimensioned relative toshoulders 139 of an inverted T as to permit only one of two adjacentactuators to be moved to a full down position at any one time, assumingthat a lockout inverted T is positioned between such adjacent actuators.In the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 2, stations 15A and 15B are relatedto each other for lockout action and the same relationship existsbetween stations 15C and 15D. By adding a lockout inverted T betweenstations 15B and 15C, the four actuators illustrated in FIG. 2 will beinterconnected for lockout action. In any group of adjacent actuatorstations, lockout between adjacent stations will be provided only if aninverted T is provided between such adjacent stations so that a numberof stations as, for example five or six, may be divided, insofar aslockout function is concerned, into more than one group.

The clearance due to aperture 34 in base plate body portion 11 withrespect to embossing 142 in the inverted T is great enough so that whenone of two actuator rods on opposed sides of an inverted T is moveddownwardly, the travel of T head 136 along the length of base plate body11 is su'iciently great so that successive inverted Ts will be rockedand cause locking of successive positioning rods for successive stationshaving lockout inverted Ts. In other words, if station A, for example,has its actuator depressed and if all stations are provided with lockoutinverted Ts, then depressing the actuator for station A will preventsimultaneous actuation of any one or more of actuator rods for stationsB, C and succeeding stations. If station C for example has its actuatordepressed, then inverted Ts for stations, A and B as well as stations Dand so on will be displaced by both Sides of the C actuator. Thuslockout will occur for stations on both sides of station C in thisexample.

In addition, in a large number of stations, any actuator may be providedwith rocking blade 115 for suitable variation of functions. In allinstances, an actuator for a latch plate window as shown in 60D may berelied upon for releasing any previously locked actuators.

By controlling the direction of latch plate bias, providing an actuatorwith blade 115 or omitting the same, and/or providing or omittinglockout between desired adjacent stations different operatingcharacteristics may be provided. It should be noted that the ease withwhich one or more switch modules may be removed or replaced makes itpossible to provide or omit lockout at any time. Preferably, however,such changes in function are accomplished at the factory during initialassembly. However, in case a switch system employing the presentinvention is wired into a complicated system, it is possible to elfectchanges in the direction of latch plate bias and changes in lockout aswell as adding blades 115 with minimum disturbance to wired switchmodules. Where an actuator has blade 115 installed and later this is notdesired, it will generally be easier to replace and rewire one switchmodule not having such a blade.

What is claimed:

1. A mechanism for controlling a plurality of physically separateswitches or the like, said mechanism comprising a flat frame platehaving a flange portion at thereto, said flange portion extending alongthe length of said frame plate, the outer face of said flange portionextending from an obverse face of said frame plate, the inner face ofsaid ilange portion extending along the inside of the 90 bend andmerging into the reverse face of said flat frame Iplate, said frameplate having the bottom portion thereof generally parallel to the bendbetween the ilange portion and flat plate,said plate and ange having alength depending vupon the number of switch stations, said flange havinga window for each station, said flat plate also having a window for eachstation, a generally flat latch plate whose length is about the same asthe frame plate length but whose width is substantially less than thewidth of the tlat frame lplate, said latch plate having a window foreach station, means for supporting said latch plate adjacent the obverseface of said flat frame plate for limited longitudinal movement withrespect to said frame plate, means for biasing said latch plate to anormal end position, a latch plate window having at least a portionthereof registering at all times with the frame plate window for eachstation, a switch assembly for use at a station, an assembly beingfunctionally complete and adapted to be incorporated into or removed asa unit and including its own base plate and actuator rod, a switchassembly including individual means for supporting its actuator rod forlongitudinal movement over a limited range, means for supporting one endof the assembly base plate in position adjacent the ange window of thestation, said switch assembly being in proximity to the reverse face ofthe at frame plate with an actuator rod portion extending beyond theswitch assembly through the ange window to be accessible for pushing,support means for a switch assembly also including cooperating parts atthe bottom portion of the ilat frame plate and the switch assembly baseplate, a cam engaging portion carried by said actuator rod and extendinglaterally therefrom through the windows of the frame plate and latchplate, said cam engaging portion cooperating with a generally downwardlyextending latch plate window edge for mechanical cooperation dependingupon the cam and window edge shapes, a switch assembly including meansfor biasing an actuator rod to a normal upper end position from whichsaid actuator rod is movable downwardly toward the plate bottom and alsoincluding movable and stationary switch contacts, said actuator rodbeing mechanically coupled to movable contacts for switch operation.

2. The construction according to claim 1 wherein said switch assemblyincludes a housing having an apertured locking flange, said housingsupporting said switch means and actuator rod, a bias spring disposedbetween a portion of said housing and a portion of said actuator rod forbiasing said actuator rod to an up position, said housing and switchmeans constituting a self-contained unitary assembly, the bottom edge ofthe frame plate having an irregular shape to provide at least one tongueper switch assembly extending through the aperture in a switch housinglocking flame, said tongue being bendable to lock a switch assemblyhousing in position on said frame plate, a switch assembly `beingdisposable into or out of position on said frame plate substantiallyindependently of other switch assemblies.

3. The construction according to claim 1 wherein said frame plate haspivot support means between two adjacent stations near the jflange, aninverted T supported on said pivot support means against the obverseface of the frame plate to hang downwardly, said inverted T being -atand having the head of the T adjacent the bottom edge portion of thebase plate with the shoulders of the T extending laterally to adjacentswitch assemblies for such adjacent stations, said inverted T having itsbody and shoulders dimensioned to cooperate with a portion of eachactuator rod for said adjacent stations for lockout to permit fulldownward travel of only one actuator rod, an inverted T being rockedabout its pivot upon downward rod travel, said inverted T, when rocked,having its shouldered portion move along the length of the base platesuiiciently so that rocking of one inverted T will cause movement ofsuccessive inverted T s.

k4. The construction according to claim 2 wherein said frame plate haspivot support means between two adjacent stations near the ange, aninverted T supported on said pivot support means against the obverseface of the frame plate to hang downwardly, said inverted T being flatand having the head of the T adjacent the bottom edge portion of thebase plate with the shoulders of the T extending laterally to adjacentswitch asemblies for such adjacent stations, said inverted T having itsbody and shoulders dimensioned to cooperate with a portion of eachactuator rod for said adjacent stations for lockout to permit fulldownward travel of only one actuator rod, an inverted T being rockedabout its pivot upon downward rod travel, said inverted T, when rocked,having its shouldered portion move along the length of the base platesuiliciently so that rocking of one inverted T will cause movement ofsuccessive inverted Ts.

5. The construction according to any one of claims 1 to 4 inclusivewherein the means for supporting said latch plate includes a slot ateach end of one of said plates extending inwardly from the edge alongthe length thereof, a tongue at each end of the other plate extendingthrough each of said slots, each tongue having a portion bent laterallyto lock said plates against lateral separation, said tongues and slotsbeing so dimensioned as to provide for the limited range of latch platetravel.

6. The construction according to any one of claims 1 to 4 inclusivewherein a latch plate has one window side edge shaped to provide alocking shoulder for cooperation with the cam engaging portion carriedby an actuating rod, said window edge and cam engaging portion beingshaped to cause relative movement between the two along the length ofthe frame plate when an actuator rod is pushed downwardly, said lockingshoulder locking said actuator rod against said stop shouldersubstantially in a down position.

7. The construction according to any one of claims 1 to 4 inclusivewherein said cam engaging portion is integral with the actuator rod andrigid with respect thereto and wherein the latch plate window edge iscam shaped so that upon downward actuator rod travel, said latch plateis moved away from its biased position, said cam shaped edge beingshaped to provide a locking shoulder to retain an actuator rod in downposition while permitting the latch plate to return to its biasedposition.

8. The construction according to any one of claims 1 to 4 inclusivewherein said actuator rod carries a latch window edge engaging portionrockably secured thereto, said rockable portion being weakly biased toengage the side of a latch plate window and being deflectable from itsbiased position on downward actuator rod movement while permitting thelatch plate to remain in its biased position, said window edge having astop shoulder for locking the actuator rod in down position.

9. The construction according to any one of claims 1 to 4 inclusivewherein said actuator rod carries a latch window edge engaging bladerockably secured in a slot thereto, said blade being weakly biased toengage the side of a latch plate window and being deilectable from itsbiased position on downward actuator rod movement while permitting thelatch plate to remain in its biased position, said window edge having astop shoulder for locking the actuator rod in down position.

10. The construction according to any one of claims 1 to 4 inclusivewherein a latch plate window has opposed downwardly extending edges,each edge being cam shaped and having a stop shoulder, said windowsbeing wide enough, longitudinally of the latch plate, so that only onewindow edge is functional, depending upon the direction of latch platebias, an actuator rod having one cam engaging portion as a rigid portionthereof for cooperation with one window edge to cause latch platemovement upon rod travel, said rod having a rockably mounted '3,517,140,Y 1 1 I Y 12 portion for cooperation with the other window edge, said3,271,530 9'/1966 Wii'sching.

rockably mounted portion being biased toward said other 3,364,316 1/1968 'Jonesl Window edge so weakly that rod travel downwardly peri mitsthe latch plate to remain in its biased position, said ROBERTA-KSCHAEFER, Primary Examiner '1d' rockable part ym mg 5 J. R. SCOTT,AssisrantExaminer References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,831,0754/1958 Dumke et al. 3,259,699 7/1966 Du Temple de Rougemont et a1. 10

y w U.S. C1. X.R.' 20D-169

